SAC Class of ‘94 Reunion 3 Day Event July 16th 17th and 18th 2004
Simply put, the mix was the bomb! Definitely, without a doubt, Hard Rock Café was stimulated with excitement. It roared with laughter as everyone recanted old stories and jokes about our tenure at
Saint Augustine’s College. But one thing must be said: Bahamians really don’t know time dread! Everyone was absurdly late, except for Tresa Cambridge-Dennis whom apparently due to her Canadian living experience, had forgotten that 7:30pm in Bahamian time actually means that no one will be showing up until 8:26pm. And that is exactly what we did. But it was all good though, we made it up to her.
But truly, the Mix was an excellent ice breaker to start off our three day long list of activities. It was certainly sensational to see and to socialize with so many old friends. Everyone seemed genuinely excited as they scampered about Hard Rock Café hugging and embracing each other. Flashes from cameras could have been seen all night; even Tavares Bowleg pulled out his camera phone and started clicking away. Lakeisha Smith-Longley, the only person who seemed to have read and followed the request of her emails brought her year book, which was circulated throughout the bar as everyone pointed out old high school pictures and laughed at how young we used to be. Old copies of the SAC Class of 1994 Newsletters were also circulated and everyone eagerly read the past articles. In fact, a number of persons ‘ghost’ copies for their personal achieves, which was all good though.
As the night rolled out, Hard Rock Café was filled to the brim with fellow graduates. We literally took over the entire complex and its staff seemed to cater only to us.
Everyone wanted to know who we were, as patrons and onlookers were in awe to see a class so together, so organized and having so much fun. In fact, the event was even attended by numerous ‘friends’ of the class of 1994. Well wishers like Makeva Cargill, Adrienne Fawkes and even Charlene Reid who are all definitely still apart of our class in spirit were present, and they fervently joined into the celebrations as the various cliques merged to form one spectacular reunion group.
But it was definitely ladies night at Hard Rock Café that night, as the women of Class of 1994 came out in storm. Everyone was undeniably getting along with each other and as the night ended, we were all obviously eager to be present at the Reunion Gala that was going to be held the next evening.
Day two: the Gala
Our Three Day Reunion Event Was The Bomb!
Fun? Man, the word ‘fun’ cannot explain the spankadocious time we had during our three days of blazing excitement on July 16th 17th and 18th. Definitely, SAC’s Class of 1994 knows how to party and party is what we did! And like Jay Ambrister used to say back in school, a distant ten years ago, we did it “just like that,” simply because the Class of 1994 is used to pulling off spectacular things and this one was definitely ‘copasetic like!’
The Gala
That’s right our dedicated and anticipated efforts had culminated into a breathtaking and well planned affair. An affair that was the talk of the town days afterwards; an event so brilliant, and so electrifying that rightly so, it is indeed something we all should be proud of; for only few classes have been able to bring together so many persons in order to celebrate life and past friendships. In view of that, that is exactly what we had accomplished: we “jumped up and let the Bahamas see that the Class of 1994 still has love and unity, togetherness!”
But as a reminder to those of you whom had ventured down to Sandals Royal Bahamian Hotel, on the Cable Beach strip on that hot and exhilarating night for our Reunion Gala, and more so, for those of you who weren’t able to attend, here are a few highlights from that evening:
Prizes and Surprises
Firstly, there were all kinds of prizes and surprises. The trivia questions brought back numerous fond memories of us trudging through SAC trying to make a difference, memories about our clash outs with administration regarding our individuality, memories about the parties, the fun and jokes we all shared on campus and even memories about the pride we had from just wearing the red tie and the plaid blue skirts.
But the surprises did not stop there. Gia Chisolm’s Frolic captivated the audience with a spectacular fashion show. Unquestionably, her tantalizing girls who strutted their stuff throughout the dining room peeked our class’s interest, beckoning us all to visit the store on Marathon Road to see what exactly the store has to offer.
They burst out in song
Yep, we sang! A little out of tone and with a lot of bass, but we sang all the same: enthusiastically, and passionately. Can you imagine that even though ten years have now past, people still remember vividly SAC’s school song? Truly, Sandals’ ball room was electrified with our ‘great’ voices, as the staff and invited dinner guests looked on with awe and admiration.
And then there was a beautiful rendition by Sonia Heastie, whom had our entire class on their feet, cheering and applauding this beautiful song bird’s talent. It was like our graduation day all over again!
Tribute to Mario and Demetri by Syretta Wells and Simone Barnett
In all things, we must give thanks, as it is right to give thanks to our Creator. I must confess that both tributes to Mario Jarrett and Demetri Ferguson given by Syretta and Simone were simply amazing and very touching. The way how they both highlighted these men, our fallen heroes, brought back fond memories about their lives. In deed as our class lifted up their glasses to toast and to pay tribute to their memories, it was clear that these great men were missed and played an important role in our lives.
The Group Picture
Now you all know, that any place where Hillard Thompson, Mark McCartney and Francis Burrows are, there is going to be some back teeth showing laughing. With that being said, imagine us trying to take a group picture with these comedians heckling Fabian, the photographer about why he wants us to be so close, so squeeze up under each other, just to take a simple photograph. As you may have guessed, tears from heavy laughing poured down person’s faces as Fabian tried desperately to organize us to take this important picture.
Flying from Far to Make the Reunion Gala
It was definitely exhilarating to see so many fellow alumni; clearly it was a night to rekindle old friendships and to reminisce about past events. Nevertheless, the thing that was utterly fantastic was to see so many persons whom had made the extra effort to travel distances in order to be apart of this momentous event. Persons such as Willeisa Francis came down from Grand Bahama; David Cartwright and Simone Barnett came down from Florida; Bronson Pilgrim came down from Ohio; Chad Munnings came from Cuba; Alphie Bullard and Gandhi Knowles came down from England; Tresa Cambridge came down from Canada; Kenneth Ferguson came down from New York; Syretta Wells came down from Chicago; Candance Johnson came down from Detroit; Elton Gibson came down from Barbados; and Vandeka Ferguson came down from North Carolina. Truly, these persons effort made our reunion grand as it clearly showed and reminded us who lives in Nassau that we have friends abroad
Then There was the St Mary’s Hall Type Dance Hall Partying
First of all, we all must confess that the D.J. was definitely wack! Alpha Sounds definitely owes us some change or some kind of compensation to say the least. But as the lights were turned down low, and everyone decided to make the best of it, David Cartwright started to scull with Vandeka Ferguson. Both smatched the roach and did the belly yuck, compelling everyone to join them on the dance floor in order to do the electric slide and to feel the soca!
Clearly, everyone themselves, dancing, laughing exchanging stories. Even invited guest boast that they had a terrific time and said that they felt as if they were apart of our graduated class. Then there were times when you actually thought they were. Alphie’s, David’s Kenneth’s and Ean’s girlfriends amusingly played host as the alumnis took their group photographs and Tresa’s and Patrel’s husbands and along with Candance boyfriend were extremely gregarious to the point that one would have thought they went to school with us. Truly they are cool dudes!
Day three: Church Service and Picnic
The Conclusion of SAC Class of 1994 Reunion Exercise(Day three)
So they decided to take us to a Catholic Church on Sunday, July 18th, to close out our three days of blazing fun for our class reunion. I wonder who thought up that bright idea! For everyone knew that the gala would have probably lasted all night, not to mention that there was going to be an after party. Nevertheless, we showed up all the same, puffy eyed, craving sleep and maybe even suffering from an mild case of hang over, but we were still were present and adequately represented our graduating class at Saint Joseph’s 10:30am mass on Boyd Road.
But man, I must say that them people at that church does party hard nah! They had Junkanoo and a Holy Ghost singing type choir, who in my opinion can match or beat out any Baptist or “Jumper church” chorale with ease. It was definitely amazing to see the entire church stumping their feet, clapping their hands, and doing the “Vola shuffle,” to the church’s goat skin drums and to the choir’s singing.
But our reunion exercise was still not completed. After deciding who will bring what at the beach, it was off to Nirvana Beach, way out West Bay Street somewhere. And for those of you who did not attend that event…well, it rained, and not just some spry either, it rained, cats and dogs and big ole elephants too. But you all know SAC people them love to celebrate, so they still braved the weather, and came out like crabs after the shower. Ean Maura and Bernard Godet pitched the tent and set up the tables. Antonio Lockhart barbecued a truck load of chicken, and Dominique Brennen’s mom made the world’s best tasting leaded and unleaded punch ever.
A special kudos goes out to Ricardo ‘Fat Cat’ Williams who graciously blared his SUV’s speakers all night in order to provide us with some good ole 90’s reggae and rap. Also kudos goes out to Antonio Lockhart who saved us from them huge mosquitoes by setting the bushes a blaze.
The beaches picnic continued until late night, with people swimming, playing board games, dominos and even chanting old SAC team songs.
